Black & White

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An exclusive first look at the handheld version of the classic PC god simulation. First screens!

By Craig Harris

Majesco has revealed that the company is currently working on Nintendo DS and PlayStation Portable versions of Lionhead Studios' classic god simulation, Black & White. Titled Black & White Creatures, Majesco's rendition of the series will take the Lionhead Studios design into a new direction on the handheld formats.

The game, originally released on the PC, puts players in the role of a god-like being, shaping land masses and civilization however they see fit. The hook is that the player also commands a massive animal creature that inhabitants may worship or fear, and it's up to the player to "train" this creature and mold him with the personality required to do the task. The game has been known for its advanced AI routines for the creature and inhabitants, and it's something the development team's aiming for in the handheld renditions.

The Nintendo DS version, in development at Full Fat, will feature eight unique island environments to control, as well as ten different species of creatures to train and command. Some breeds have never been seen in the Black & White universe. The Nintendo DS version will take advantage of touch-screen stylus control where players can train and/or punish their on-screen creature with specific stylus motions. The system's microphone will also be employed for speech recognition, so players can use voice commands to encourage or berate their creature.

This handheld version will feature several gameplay modes. Along with the standard single player option, players can also take part in other modes including Creature Quest and Creature Pen, as well as pit beast against beast in Creature Battle using the wireless connectivity of the Nintendo DS. There will also be mini-games, including a Creature Dance challenge that puts the big beasts' dancing skills to the test. On top of all of this, there will be hundreds of awards and items to collect and unlock in the game modes to keep replay value high.

Majesco plans on shipping Black & White Creatures for the Nintendo DS in the first quarter of 2006. Hit the links below to check out the first screenshots of the dual-screen version running on the Nintendo handheld.